Gordon Engelhardt, of the Courier and Press, reports free agent LB Kevin Hardy (Bengals) finds himself in a thoroughly unfamiliar position - on the sidelines, playing the waiting game. Not much has happened in the way of job offers since he was cut by the Cincinnati Bengals in May. "I plan to play this year, but I haven't spoken to any teams. I'm waiting for somebody to give me a call and we'll take it from there."

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears, who are in search of a linebacker, have yet to call free agent LB Kevin Hardy (Bengals). ''It would be nice if they called,'' said Ethan Lock, Hardy's agent, ''but they haven't to this point.''

Terry Bannon, of the Chicago Tribune, reports the Chicago Bears are not expected to show interest in free agent LB Kevin Hardy (Bengals) since he doesn't fit the team's bill of quick and mobile linebackers.

Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com, reports free agent LB Kevin Hardy (Bengals) is not ready to hang up his cleats and retire from the NFL after 10 seasons in the league. "I've got a good start to the offseason conditioning and I'm going to keep going," the 31-yard old Hardy said.

Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com, reports with the salary cap savings of releasing LB Kevin Hardy, the Cincinnati Bengals could look to use the extra space on contract extensions for some members of their starting offensive line. As reported, the team saved roughly $1 million in cap room this year.

Updating previous reports, Mark Curnutte, of the Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Bengals LB Kevin Hardy realizes time may be running out with the team after they selected two linebackers early in the NFL draft this year. "They don't draft guys in the first round to sit," Hardy said. "Until I'm told everything different, I'm continuing to come, work (and) get my body in shape for another new year." Hardy could be released after June 1 this year, which would save $1.7 million in cap space this year and $2.4 million next year.

According to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, Cincinnati Bengals LB Kevin Hardy (shoulder) is expected to be on the field when coaching sessions start May 17. Hardy had a shoulder cleaned out with arthroscopic surgery during the offseason and says he is feeling fine.

Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com, reports Cincinnati Bengals LB Kevin Hardy feels much more at home playing as an outside linebacker this year than he did last season playing on the inside as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "It's different on the outside because I know exactly when I line up what I'm responsible for," Hardy said. "I don't know if I just didn't understand what was going on last year or what, but I feel like I'm playing faster because I'm not doing all the thinking. It could be any number of things. Playing on the outside, you have the opportunity to run across the field. On the inside, you have to worry about blockers here and there."

Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com, reports Cincinnati Bengals LB Kevin Hardy believes he has the skills necessary to play the pass rushing role on the team's third-down defense units. "I did a little bit of it in Dallas and a little bit in Jacksonville, and I think it's something I can still do," Hardy said of playing defensive end. "I'm not going to overpower many tackles out there, but I should be able to use some speed to get around and make some plays. I'd like to get in on some third downs." Defensive line coach Jay Hayes said Hardy might get his wish granted. "He's another guy we can put in there in a rotation with Duane (Clemons) and Justin (Smith)," said Hayes.

Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com, reports Cincinnati Bengals have moved LB Kevin Hardy to strong side linebacker. According to Bengals linebackers' coach Rick Hunley, "Moving Kevin puts him back in a position where he was most effective as an outside guy. He's got some natural rush skills off the edge and he's a coach on the field."

Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com, reports the Cincinnati Bengals may look into the possibility of moving MLB Kevin Hardy back to his natural position of OLB in order to improve the team's run defense. Bengals' coaches are hesitant, however, to move OLB Adrian Ross (knee) after he recorded 62 tackles last year before going down with an ACL tear.

CBSSportsline.com reports Cincinnati Bengals WR Chad Johnson has guaranteed victory over the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Nov. 16. "They'll probably get a few laughs out of it and just come in and try to play their game," Bengals LB Kevin Hardy said. "He (Johnson) is just excited. Obviously he hasn't been in this situation a lot in his NFL career, and he let his emotions probably get the best of him."

The Cincinnati Bengals have announced newly signed LB Kevin Hardy and DT John Thornton will be available at 1:00 PM Monday to meet with the media and to answer questions. It is not known if anything else will occur or be announced at the press conference later Monday.

Updating previous reports, the Cincinnati Bengals have officially signed free agent LB Kevin Hardy (Cowboys) to a four-year contract. "Kevin is a guy who has been All-Pro and who was a key player on a team (Jacksonville) that went to two AFC Championship games," coach Marvin Lewis said. "He's been where we want to go, and he has an opportunity to be a great leader for us."

Bengals.com reports the Cincinnati Bengals and free agent LB Kevin Hardy (Cowboys) have agreed in principle to a four-year deal, according to agent Eric Metz. The deal is believed to be close to $4 million per year with $5 million in the first year between salary and bonuses.

Contrary to an earlier story, the Star-Telegram's Clarence E. Hill Jr. reports free agent LB Kevin Hardy (Cowboys) has been offered a four-year deal to join the Cincinnati Bengals. Although he left a visit to Cincinnati without signing the contract and still has interest in returning to Dallas, Hardy said he seriously is considering the Bengals offer.

John Clayton of ESPN.com reports Dallas Cowboys LB Kevin Hardy is getting ready to shop himself on the free agent market. He has started to set up free-agent visits with other teams, with the assumption he will be released by Thursday. Hardy is scheduled to receive a $5.025 million option bonus if the Cowboys retain him, but the team wants him to stay for less money.

Updating previous reports, the Star Telegram reports Dallas Cowboys LB Kevin Hardy has an expressed an interest in remaining with the team. His agent, Than Lock, said that if the right deal comes along, Hardy would re-sign without taking a look at what free agency has to offer.

Updating previous reports, the Dallas Morning News reports the Dallas Cowboys will not pay LB Kevin Hardy the $5.025 million option payment in his contract that would have kept him with the team for the next four years. The team would be willing to re-sign Hardy to a restructured deal, but Hardy is likely to test the free agent market first.

The Star-Telegram reports the Dallas Cowboys want LB Kevin Hardy to restructure his contract in a more cap-friendly way. He is due a $4.6 million roster bonus on Feb. 28, and if the team doesnít pay it to him, the final four years of his contract would be void. Hardy is set to count $3.78 million against the salary cap in 2003, but the team is looking long term. He also has cap numbers of $4.8 million (2004), $5.8 million (2005), and $6.3 million (2006).

The Dallas Morning News reports Dallas Cowboys LB Kevin Hardy (sore knee) sat out parts of Monday's practice. Coach Dave Campo said the soreness has nothing to do with Hardy's injury from last year. If anything, Campo said jokingly that it sounded like a "veteran injury" in which a veteran claims to be injured so he can miss practice.

Cowboys.com reports Dallas Cowboys LB Kevin Hardy (knee) was held out of Friday's morning practice at mini-camp, as expected. He did return in the afternoon, and made two nice plays in the goal-line drills.

Updating previous reports, the Dallas Morning News reports Dallas Cowboys LB Kevin Hardy (knee) hopes to be at 100 percent when training camp begins later this month. Head coach Dave Campo said he feels good about him and believes heíll be ready to go come training camp, which is when the team plans to get a better evaluation of him.